The next time you read a news report that says Officer XYZ from a police department found Person ABC in possession of illegal drugs, think of Deputy Zachary Wester and remember that things are not always what they appear to be. A few days ago, former Jackson County...
Exclusionary rule is an important legal protection
Anyone who watches crime shows has probably heard television detectives discussing evidence, warrants and probable cause. While the sensational aspects of police dramas may overshadow these legal concepts, it is important for our readers in Michigan to know that rules...
Search laws in Michigan
Individuals have rights protected by both state laws as well as the United States Constitution when it comes to searches. Article I section 11 of the Michigan state legislature states that there must be a description of the property or premises to be searched, as well...
The Michigan Adult Drug Treatment Court Program
With the drug epidemic sweeping our nation today, prisons have become overcrowded. This problem has forced states to come up with their own alternative solutions to imprisonment for lesser crimes. One of the alternative forms of punishment and rehabilitation for...
Controlled substance classifications and sentences in Michigan
Possession of a controlled substance is a serious criminal offense. However, it is likely the most common of any criminal charge due to the drug epidemic sweeping our nation today. Sentencing guidelines and drug classifications for these crimes vary from...
Do I have a defense to my pending drug possession charges?
Defenses exist to drug possession charges, but the defenses that apply to a particular case will greatly depend on the facts of the relevant matter. Not all defenses apply to all cases. Here we will discuss several general drug possession defenses that may be used as...
Men face drug charges after stop for outstanding warrants
Police officers in the nearby Michigan community of Dowagiac recently arrested two individuals after stopping their vehicle and searching them and their property. Apparently the officers involved in the matter spotted the driver of the vehicle and recognized him as an...
We know how to fight Michigan drug charges in court
Regardless of laws legalizing marijuana going into effect in some other states, the war on drugs wages on in Michigan. Law enforcement agents and prosecutors still aggressively pursue drug cases, and the penalties handed down to those convicted of drug crimes can be...
Exceptions to Michigan’s drug possession laws
A conviction on a drug possession charge can lead to serious consequences in Michigan. Depending on the drug and quantity involved, these consequences can include prison, fines, and damage to one's reputation. As scary as that may sound, there are defense options...
Michigan’s discharge and dismissal program for drug offenses
If you are facing drug charges for the first time, you're probably worried about the penalties a conviction can deal to you. You might be afraid of being sent to prison, being forced to pay devastating fines, and having your record marred for years to come. Although...
